Clothes-line protector and stretcher.



Nn. 67|,225. Patented Apr. 2, nml.4 .1. w. s. Nvcum.

CLOTHES LIN PROTECTOR AND STRETCHER.

(Appnc'ation med Aug. 1, 1900.)

(No Model.)

gguum llg'liif NNE STATES JOSEPH W. S. NYCUM, OF PITTSBRG, PENNSYLVANIA.

CLOTHES-LINE PROTECTOR AND VSTRETCHEFL SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 671,225, dated April 2, 1901.

Application iiled August l, 1900. Serial No. 25,523. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t ntcty con/cern:

Be it known that I, J osErH W. S. NYoUM, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Pittsburg, inthe county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clothes-Line Protectors and Stretchers, of

which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in clothes-line holders, and more particularly to clothes-line reels.

The object. of the herein-described invention is to construct a reel that may be easily manipulated and adjusted to various degrees or angles.

The invention further aimsto construct an apparatus ot' the above-described class that will `be ,extremelytsimple in construction, strong, durable, efficient in its use, and comparatively inexpensive to manufact-ure.

-With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts, t0 be hereinafter more fully described, and speciiieally pointed out in the claims.

4In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and

wherein like numerals of reference indicate.

merals,` l indicates a` suitable support, to` `which is secured a supporting-plate 2, this plate having arranged therein openings 3 for the reception of suitable fastening means.

The said plate is further provided with sta-` ples 4, and apertured lugs 5 are centrally arranged upon the plate 2, which serve to forni a hinged connection 6 with the fork-shaped hanger 7, carrying a cylindrical casing S.

close the opening 9.

up of the line.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the sup- The forward end ot' the said casing is provided With an opening 9, and the inner sides ol the casing are provided with a segmental guide l0, whichforms a guideway 1l for the slidable cover l2, the latter being adapted to A drum 13 of the usual construction is rotatably mounted in the cylindrical casing 8, the shaft 14,- of said drum being provided with a crank-arm 15. Secured to said shaft outside ofthe casing is a ratchetwheel 16, said ratchet-wheel being engaged `by a gravity-pawl 17, the latter being pivoted,

as at 18.

The reference-numeral 19 indicates a locking-yoke provided in its under edge with notches 20, which are adapted to engage the rearwardly-extending portion '7:L of the forkshaped hanger. This locking -yoke is also provided with hooked ends 2l, the latter being adapted to engage in the staples 4 of the supporting-plate and forming `a hinged connection therewith.

The operation of my improved device is as follows: Assuming that the parts are in proper position, as shown in the drawings, the crank-arm is manipulated, thereby rotating the drum and permitting the winding Simultaneous with this operation the ratchet and pawl will serve to lock the drum and prevent the line from unwinding.

When it is desired to adjust the device to a different angle or position, the locking-yoke is raised, disengaging the rearwardly-eXtend- Aing portion 7a of the fork-shaped hanger 7 made in thedetails of construction without departing from the general spirit of my invention. f Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim `as new, anddesire to secure by` .Letters Patent, is-

l. In a device ot" the character described, a suitable supporting-plate, staples upon said supportingplate, apertnred lugs arranged upon said supportingplate, .a fork shaped hanger having a rearwardly-extending portion swingingly mounted in said apertured lugs, and a locking-yoke having notches in its under face adapted to engage said rearwardly-extending portion, said locking-yoke being hinged to said staples, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the character described, v the com bination of a suitable support, a fork-shaped hanger hinged to said support, a locking-yoke hinged to the said support and adapted to engage said fork-shaped hanger, a

drum rotatably mounted in said fork-shaped I5 hanger, a ratchet mounted on the shaft oi' the drum, a pivotally-lnounted pawi for engagement with said ratchet, and a crank-arm adapted to operate said drum and ratchet, all parts being arranged and operated substantially as herein shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOSEPH W. S. NYCUM.

Witnesses: p

JOHN NoLAND, H. C. EVERT. 

